FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
8/30/2024
The third annual drive thru school supply hosted by Farmers Union Insurance – Sabers Agency was held on August 22. Over $2500 in cash and 20+ boxes of supplies were split between the three Sturgis schools.
Contact Information Brenda Sabers
Farmers Union Insurance – Sabers Agency
2327 Junction Ave, Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 347-4507
STURGIS, S.D., 22 Aug. 2024 – As summer break winds down, back-to-school gears up. Thanks to local Sturgis business owners, Scott and Brenda Sabers, area schools will receive funds to assist with that transition.
From 7-9 a.m. on August 22, the sun rose warmly on the third annual Drive Thru School Supply benefit hosted by Farmers Union Insurance -- Sabers Agency as community members stopped for fresh cinnamon or caramel rolls with hot cups of coffee.
“After two hours, 11 dozen caramel rolls and 150 cups of coffee were gone,” Brenda said. “Seven dozen of the caramel rolls came from the Senior Citizen Center. We order and buy through them.”
For this event, Brenda made an additional four dozen cinnamon rolls.
“We collected 20+ boxes of supplies and over $2500 in cash that will be split between three Sturgis schools,” Brenda said.
According to the National Education Association, “More than 90% of teachers spend their own money on school supplies. Before the pandemic, teachers spent an average of $500 out of pocket per year. The union estimated that number would jump past $800 for the 2023-24 school year.”
Although the district provides one-to-one devices for students, there is still a need for organizational materials, such as binders and folders in addition to writing utensils and storage devices.
In addition, it is estimated that one in three families are unable to afford such items for their school-age children, according to Stephanie Weaver’s Aug. 2, 2024, FoxNow article.
“Credit Karma conducted the survey online in mid-to-late July, surveying more than 1,000 U.S. adults. The company found that nearly one-third (31%) of parents said they are unable to afford back-to-school shopping for their kids this year,” Weaver said.
Items often in short supply, including backpacks, binders, notebooks, crayons, markers, folders, glue and pencils, are what were delivered to the schools, thanks to the supply drive.
“Scott and I love where we live and work and we try to find new ways to give back to our community,” Brenda said. “We started the school supply drive in 2022 and we collected twice as many supplies and $1000 more in 2024 than in 2022. We can’t wait to see what 2025 does.”
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Offering a tasty opportunity for community members to help support Sturgis schools and students, Farmers Union Insurance – Sabers Agency host their third annual Drive Thru School Supply Drive on August 22. Pictured were Brenda Sabers, Tammie McKenzie, Alan Roth, Shanon Vasknetz and Scott Sabers. courtesy photo